For many years, driving an electric car in California came with a special advantage. People who owned electric or hybrid vehicles could drive alone in the carpool lane, skipping long lines of traffic. This benefit was part of California’s Clean Air Vehicle program which started in 2001 to reward drivers who chose cleaner cars and to encourage more people to do the same. But starting October 2025, that privilege has officially ended.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed that it stopped accepting new applications for Clean Air Vehicle decals in August, and all existing ones became invalid on October 1. This means that drivers of Teslas, Chevy Bolts, or Toyota Prius Primes can no longer use the carpool lane unless they have passengers. Anyone caught driving alone in the lane could face a fine of up to $490.
This change did not come from the state, but from federal law. The Clean Air Vehicle program was last approved under a 2015 transportation bill, which included an expiration date. Since Congress did not renew it, California no longer has the legal power to allow electric vehicles special access to carpool lanes. This sudden change has left many drivers frustrated, especially those who bought EVs partly for this benefit.
Governor Gavin Newsom and other state officials criticized Congress for letting the program end. They warned that taking away this incentive could make traffic worse and increase air pollution in cities already struggling with poor air quality. California tried to extend the program until 2027, but the state needed federal approval, which never came.
Over the years, California has led the country in the push toward electric vehicles. In 2024, electric cars made up about a quarter of all new vehicle sales. The state also has more EV charging stations than gas stations and strict rules that require car companies to sell more electric cars. Even so, many drivers say the loss of carpool access feels like a step backward.
Some experts believe it was time for this change. They say the carpool perk was meant to encourage early adoption, not to last forever. Now that electric cars are common, these experts argue that the market should stand on its own without special treatment. Others disagree, saying incentives like this are still needed to help more people switch to cleaner cars.
The end of this program shows the growing tension between California’s environmental goals and federal policies. For now, electric car owners will have to wait in traffic like everyone else, while the bigger debate over clean transportation continues in Washington and Sacramento. It’s a clear reminder that even popular government programs can end quickly, leaving many drivers caught in the middle.
Buyers of EVs from different manufacturers, such as Lucid Motors (NASDAQ: LCID), will now have to disregard the perk of driving in carpool lanes and consider other benefits of switching to an electric vehicle.
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